She Stands… United – Heidi Wyborn

She Stands... United - Heidi Wyborn

This year, I have had the absolute privilege of going to many concerts and outdoor events. The one thing I love about going to all of these events is the atmosphere it brings. One of the events I was lucky enough to go to this year was witnessing Australia play at the Beach Volleyball in the Commonwealth Games held on the Gold Coast. The atmosphere was electric, because 95% of the crowd was going for Australia. In that moment, none of us cared what race, religion or age we were - the thing that united us all was the fact that we were in that moment all Australian.
We were all disappointed at the same time when Australia missed a point, and then we were all elated when we gained a point - but the thing that I loved was that we never ever gave up on our team. When they were down we kept cheering our team on. Hoping our screams would somehow get our team across the finish line with the victory. Which of course, because of our screams they won!!

This crowd was an united crowd. A crowd brought together with a purpose. I didn’t get offended because someone had better seats than me. I didn’t get offended because someone cheered louder me. I didn’t get offended because someone might’ve been noticed by the announcer and I wasn’t. I didn’t care because my one goal was getting Australia across the line and all these people were there helping me achieve that goal. I was one of the many, of the 95% that wanted Australia to win.

I was also unfortunate enough to attend a funeral just recently. There was no cheering. There was again no offence where people sat, there was no judgement in what your occupation was, everyone in this instance was unified in grief. Tears flowed easily without worry of judgement. People wrapping their arms around others when they saw there was a need without a thought of “Oh, should I do that?” A need was seen and someone was able to fulfil it. Again a group of people unified. Though this time it was unification in grief.

Both of these scenarios are different, though very much the same. Everyone had their defences down to a certain degree and were all rallying around for a common cause. Reminds me of the Brotherhood of Man Lyrics - United We Stand :

United we stand divided we fall
And if our backs should ever be against the wall
Well be together, together, you and I

Why is it when we come together for reason: concert, sporting, grief, etc we are ready and open for anything? We are ok with emotion being shown whether it is in elation or grief. Though when we step out of that box emotion becomes uncomfortable for us to be around. We’ve now taken unity from being a choice to a chore.

As warriors we are part of the one body. Christ’s body. We are all different, we all have different talents but together we stand united. Together we can overcome. Together we have the victory. Cheering each other on. Putting our arms around each other and saying “I got you. It’s ok”.

Let’s stop leaving our warriors behind because it’s uncomfortable to see someone emotionally, physically or financially not coping. Let’s stop walking out when the celebrations stop and the lights go out. Let’s consistently walk beside each other. Get down in the trenches with each other and together we can ALL have victory.

Corinthians 12:13-21

For by one Spirit we all were immersed and mingled into one single body. And no matter our status—whether we are Jews or non-Jews, oppressed or free—we are all privileged to drink deeply of the same Holy Spirit. In fact, the human body is not one single part but rather many parts mingled into one. So if the foot were to say, “Since I’m not a hand, I’m not a part of the body,” it’s forgetting that it is still a vital part of the body. And if the ear were to say, “Since I’m not an eye, I’m not really a part of the body,” it’s forgetting that it is still an important part of the body.
Think of it this way. If the whole body were just an eyeball, how could it hear sounds? And if the whole body were just an ear, how could it smell different fragrances? But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all! So now we see that there are many differing parts and functions, but one body.

You know it might feel comfortable isolating yourself and keeping people at arms length, though what are you learning and what are you preventing other people from learning. Just like Merrill Markoe so eloquently observed “it’s just like magic, when you live by yourself, all of your annoying habits are gone.”

Whenever you feel you can’t go that extra step. You can’t face that extra day. You can’t open that bill sitting on your bench.Just remember we are here together. Whether it be in prayer or in person to make that extra step easier and doable to keep moving forward. As a family comes together in times of joy and grief, so will your Shine Sisterhood when one of us can’t go on. Don’t be scared to put it out there when you need help, whether it be prayer, a coffee or a shoulder to cry on.

So get out there! Let’s change the atmosphere in our circle of influence Go cheer on that person you weren’t sure u should approach. Bless that person that you really want to bless but are unsure how! You just don’t know what walls will tumble and victories will be had!